Sexual Harassment In Oleanna

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and discuss the play "Oleanna," by David Mamet. Specifically, it will look at the most important idea dramatized by the plot of the play.

PLOT IN OLEANNA

Many reviewers and critics would say that the most important idea dramatized by the plot of "Oleanna" is sexual harassment. "Ultimately, perhaps the question in Oleanna is not whether sexual harassment has been committed, but exactly who is persecuting whom" (Berardinelli). Even deeper, this play delves into the process of higher education, and whether it provides a real education to today's youth, and Mamet uses the force and power of the English language to get ...

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don't know what it means'" (Maufort 179). She is not only talking about the specific course, which she thinks she is going to fail; she seems to be talking about life. She is not ready for "real" life, and she knows it. She is desperately hoping to save her grade, and move along, away from John, the professor, and this time in her life she does not understand.
Meanwhile, John does not really understand her and her problems any more than she understands his class. He is in the middle of a conversation with his real estate agent, and is only barely listening to what Carol is saying. This lack of understanding and communication between both parties does not seem very important at the time, but it leads to complications and accusations as the play progresses. These two are more than generations and gender apart; they are two people who simply do not have a clue about each other. This is important in the plot's theme, because in their lack of understanding, they create the problem of ...

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Clearly, the two participants see the incident from totally opposing viewpoints. It is as if "two people approach an intersection from different vantage points. When an accident occurs, they both observe the same facts, yet afterwards their versions of events differ considerably. Neither is lying; rather, it is the subjective rather than the objective element of their account which is unique to each witness" (Berardinelli). The incident transforms Carol. She becomes more articulate, sure of herself, and even aggressive in her behavior, while John retreats into himself, and becomes less articulate, even violent. "The most illuminating value of "Oleanna" is that it demonstrates so clearly ...

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